Wilson to take on new PCSP role

A Carrickfergus councillor has been selected as the chairperson of the new Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).

Andrew Wilson was appointed to the role at last week’s meeting of the super-council, having previously served as chair of Carrick PCSP.

The NI Policing Board is running a consultation on PCSPs, which are currently being restructured to correspond with the new council boundaries.

The Mid and East Antrim body will be operational from June 1 2015 - two months after the winding up of Carrick PCSP on March 31.

Last month, Cllr Wilson indicated he had written to the board over the availability of funding for community groups during the interim period.

Responding, a spokesperson indicated that the board is currently in consultation with the new council chief executives regarding the transitional arrangements.

“Current legislation does not provide for an extension to the existing structures and the new PCSPs cannot be reconstituted until both the political and independent members are appointed. This is likely to be complete for June 2015,” the spokesperson added.

“The board and the Department of Justice are working to ensure that projects which have been included in transitional delivery plans continue uninterrupted. This is a pragmatic response to meet the requirements of the legislation in the context of exceptional circumstances of local government reform. The aim is to ensure that the work being done through local initiatives is protected during the transition to the new partnerships.”